General Description: Barnyard Ducks (Anas domesticus) are domestic ducks that escaped or were released from captivity and now live "wild," or feral, in local ponds and lakes. Barnyard ducks are white, but they breed with other forms of feral ducks and come in a motley range of mixes. Most domestic ducks are descended from wild Mallards, and it is not uncommon to see overly large, domestic mallards in neighborhood ponds.